Eugene Laurant's Grave

Eugene Laurant, who was born Eugene Lawrence Greenleaf, has his ashes in  a crypt in the mausoleum  at Rosehill Cemetery, in Chicago. He was interred May 1st, 1944, though he passed away in Feb 19th, 1944. His service was conducted by magician turned clergyman John Booth.

He was born August 19, 1875 and died Feb 19th, 1944.

Carnegie The Magic Detective On The Radio

A couple weeks ago John Michael Marty of WSMI Radio out of Illinois interviewed me for his radio show. John and I were introduced through our mutual friend Steve Baker, known professionally as Mr. Escape. John contacted me about doing an interview where we would talk about Steve, and magic history, Houdini and my own professional performing career. We were supposed to do a 20 minute spot, but I think we ran around 45 minutes (including commercials). It was a fun interview and I thought you might like to listen to it.

Minerva Queen of Handcuffs

Minerva Queen of Handcuffs, also Queen of Mystery, was born Margaretha Snelling on Dec 18 1878 in Germany. Her career as an escape artist ran from 1904-1913. The retired from the stage after marrying illusion builder Guy Jarrett.

She is buried in Mission City Memorial Park, Santa Clara, CA, Plot Section K-3, No 26. She is buried with her fourth husband, George Backus. Sadly, though there is a spot on the grave marker for her name, Minerva's name does not appear on the gravestone at all.

For more information on Minerva, check out my podcast #26 on https://magicdetectivepodcast.com

the photos below were used with permission of Michael Stroud. 

Olive Dot Robinson Gravesite

When it comes to one of the greatest magician's assistants in history, surely one of the early ones was also one of the best. Olive Robinson was the wife of William E. Robinson. For a time she worked as Harry Kellar's chief assistant in his show. Later, when the Robinson's were wooed away by Alexander Herrmann, she became an assistant in his show. And when her husband, William Ellsworth Robinson hired her to be his chief assistant as well.

Her husband, in the roll of Chung Ling, was tragically killed on stage while presenting the Bullet Catch mystery in 1918. In 1922, Olive packed her bags and left England to head back to America. Oddly, she didn't tell anyone she had returned.Word was she was embarrassed by the death of her husband and the varied rumors surrounding the death.

When she arrived in New York in 1922, she didn't tell anyone she was here. She lived until the ripe old age of 71 passing away on Nov 13, 1934. She is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx. In 2016 magic historian Diego Domingo raised money for a stone market to be placed on Dot's grave.